A teacher by profession, but is now in his 38th year as a football writer. Has written for "Soccer Action" (Melbourne), "Australian Soccer Weekly" (Sydney) and "World Soccer" (London), as well as for several Tasmanian newspapers. Currently contributing to "Goal!Weekly" in Melbourne and the Australian magazine "Soccer International". Played for Croatia-Glenorchy, Caledonians, Metro, Rapid and University in Tasmania, as well as in the United States of America. Coached University, Metro and Croatia-Glenorchy.

I recently received an email from Beachside insider Colin Shepherd. I'm sure it's meant to be taken with a grain of salt. But, along the lines of the famous "Ripley's believe it or not', I've decided to publish it as "Shepherd's believe it or not". What do you think of this as an explanation for Nathan Robinson's decision to quit as Beachside coach?

"Strong rumours are circulating that Nathan Robinson may be Tasmania’s next Police Commissioner. 500th Game Veteran Colin Shepherd reports Robinson’s application for the top job is well known at Beachside United and explains why he recently relinquished the senior coaching position to Brett Pullen, having guided Beachside into the Southern Premier League after only 2 years in charge.

"The 40-year-old Robinson is a father of three (and expecting a fourth in early 2011) and has been a police officer for over twenty years. He has spent time in the Special Operations Group, Criminal Investigation Branch and currently works within the Police Department’s public prosecution unit. He is a graduate of the Hutchins School and is an active member of the Tasmanian community serving on several Boards and Committees involving social justice and anti-discrimination.

"Robinson was recently awarded a bravery award by the Acting Commissioner for his role in protecting a young couple from a vicious gang attack while he was off duty. 'We see Robbo as a bit like a Tasmania’s Steven Segal,' says Shepherd, 'The whole club wishes him success in his lifelong ambition to lead the country’s finest police force.' "

"While not wanting to make any predictions about Robinson’s chances when pressed, 'All I can say is I’d be very, very nervous if I was Darren Hine', stated Shepherd."

“Northern Territory have done very well, but we played some good football,” said Tasmania’s coach, Dale Itchins.

“They’ve competed this year and they’ve obviously had some improvement and we thought it would be a danger game for us.

“We’re down to 14 players.Our second keeper and our right-fullback are scratched for the rest of the tournament.That restricts you a little bit.

“The first 15 minutes we played some good football.We started off slowly but then we created three or four really good chances.We probably should have scored three or four, but our finishing was ordinary.We weren’t clinical at all.

“We mis-hit, mis-timed and didn’t connect and I thought, the longer we go, the longer they’re in the game and the more danger.

“And then we scored two great goals to make it 2-0 at half-time.The second half, it just opened up.Having said that, they probably should have scored.

“We then scored three very nice goals and the build-ups were great.”

Tasmania plays Country NSW tomorrow, a side that has won all four of its games.

Tasmania’s Under-15s lost 3-0 to Queensland Metro today.

“The boys performed very well, considering two of the goals we gave away,” said assistant coach, Anthony Alexander.

“The boys probably played one of their best games of the tournament.

“It was a very even game, really, but Queensland just finished their chances more than anything.They played to percentages and maximised them.”

Sydney FC have now gone 8 games without a win in the A-League after drawing 1-1 with North Queensland Fury in a torrential downpour at the Sydney Football Stadium tonight.

The home side dominated the first half and led 1-0 at the break, but the Fury refused to sink in the second period, grabbing an equaliser and threatening Sydney on the break.Two second-half substitutions by Fury coach, Frantisek Straka, were inspired.

Eugene Sseppuya and Jack Hingert came on and had an important influence on the match.

Sydney still created some good chances, however, and could have added to their tally.

There was huge debate about a chip from captain Terry McFlynn in the 82nd minute which hit the underside of the Fury bar and bounced down and off the base of the far left-hand post before the ball spun back into play.It looked originally as if the ball had crossed the line, but TV replays seemed to back the assistant referee’s decision not to award the goal.He was level with the goal-line and did not signal a goal because the whole of the ball had not crossed the line.

Sydney’s Mark Bridge, playing his 100th A-League match, almost put his side ahead in the 34th minute but the ball hit the outside of Mark Pasfield’s left-hand post.

Three minutes later, Shannon Cole scored one of the best goals of the season to give Sydney the lead.A poor clearance by Fury’s Eric Akoto went to Bridge, who lobbed the ball wide to the right.Cole controlled the ball on his chest, avoided the attentions of David Williams, and volleyed a superb goal with the outside of his right foot from the edge of the box.

In the 72nd minute, Pasfield had to dive to his right to keep out a header by Alex Brosque following Cole’s right-wing cross.

Four minutes later, it was 1-1.Sseppuya gained possession on the left and played a diagonal ball back towards the D, where Williams’s shot surprised an embarrassed Reddy and flashed into the roof of the net.

The first corner of the game did not come until the 81st minute.Sydney cleared it and attacked, leading to McFlynn’s controversial chip against the woodwork.

With 2 minutes remaining, McFlynn missed a good chance to give Sydney the win.Stephan Keller released Brosque down the left, but his cross was headed tamely over the bar by the Sydney skipper.

The result leaves Sydney FC in last place, 3 points adrift of second-last North Queensland Fury.